Tam Dao (Phu Tho province) is one of the destinations chosen by many young people on weekends thanks to its cool climate, beautiful scenery and not too far from Hanoi.
However, the road leading up to the town with many hairpin turns and steep slopes requires vehicle drivers to have careful preparation to ensure safety.
Choose a suitable vehicle before departure
The road to Tam Dao is only about 13km long but has many sharp bends and continuous steep slopes. Therefore, manual or manual transmission cars are the most suitable choice.
Experienced backpackers recommend not using scooters to conquer this route. When going downhill, scooters often have to brake continuously, easily leading to brake pad heat, reducing braking efficiency and potential safety risks. With manual motorcycles, drivers can take advantage of engine brakes by switching to a low gear to control speed better.
Sharing about the heart-stopping experience of conquering Tam Dao by motorbike, Hai Yen (23 years old, Hanoi) said that she suddenly encountered a brake failure while going down the pass.
The car plunged down the slope at high speed in an almost uncontrollable condition. Luckily, I was still safe, without any scratches," Hai Yen shared.
From her experience, Hai Yen recommends that those who intend to travel to Tam Dao by motorbike should carefully check the braking system before going up and down the pass. At the same time, she believes that manual transmission motorbikes will be more suitable than scooters when moving on steep mountain roads due to the ability to slow down with the engine, helping to increase safety during downhill driving.
Fill the gas tank from the foot of the mountain
Before starting the mountain climbing journey, tourists should proactively fill up the fuel tank at the foot of the mountain.
Although there are still gas stations in Tam Dao town, most of them are retail with small quantities and prices are usually higher than in the delta area. Preparing enough fuel will make the trip more convenient, especially for tourists planning to explore many locations during the day.
Pay attention to weather and fog
One of the characteristics of Tam Dao is that fog appears quite often, especially in the early morning or late afternoon.
On bad weather days, visibility can be reduced to only a few meters. When encountering thick fog, drivers should slow down, turn on appropriate headlights and maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front. Absolutely do not overtake recklessly at curves that are out of sight.
In addition, the pass road surface can become slippery after rain or when the air humidity is high, requiring drivers to concentrate and handle situations carefully.
Prepare a jacket even when it's hot.
Many tourists were surprised when the temperature on Tam Dao peak was significantly lower than in the delta area.
Even in the summer, the evening in Tam Dao often feels chilly, especially on rainy or foggy days. Therefore, a thin jacket or windbreaker is an item not to be forgotten in luggage.
Prioritize good-grip sports shoes
After arriving in Tam Dao, tourists often continue to move to attractions such as Silver Waterfall, Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple or Television Tower.
Many locations require climbing through stone steps or steep roads, so a pair of good-grip sneakers will make travel more convenient and safe. Sandals or high heels are not suitable for the terrain here.
Bring cash reserves
Although electronic payments are increasingly popular, tourists should still bring a certain amount of cash with them.
Some small eateries, parking lots, or roadside food stalls may not yet support online payments. In addition, network signals in some mountainous areas are sometimes unstable, making it difficult to transfer money.
Last notes
Before departure, tourists should carefully check the braking system, tires, headlights and horn. At the same time, they need to wear standard helmets, comply with traffic regulations and do not drive when the body is tired.
With careful preparation, the Tam Dao motorbike backpacking trip will become a memorable experience, bringing the opportunity to enjoy fresh air, mountain scenery and relaxing moments after stressful working days.
